While some might say that raising the minimum wage during poor economic times will put more strain on business owners, and decrease job creation as a result, it's important to remember that the minimum wage was created during the worst economic period in our nation's history: the Great Depression. In fact, as this report from Let Justice Roll points out, "when the federal minimum wage was established in 1938, the unemployment rate was still a very high 19 percent." The report goes on to state, "Even after the increase to $7.25, the minimum wage [is] lower than the $7.93 minimum wage of 1956 and much lower than 1968's $9.92, adjusting for inflation."
There are many benefits to raising the minimum wage. Another Let Justice Roll paper cites a study "by the Fiscal Policy Institute and others showed that states that raised their minimum wages above the federal level experienced better employment and small business trends than states that did not," while a higher minimum wage also boosts consumer spending: an Economic Policy Institute study "found that for every dollar increase in the minimum wage, families with minimum wage workers tend to increase spending by more than $800 per quarter.
Beyond these reasons, raising the minimum wage allows us to fulfill our mandate as Jews to "not abuse a needy and destitute laborer," and provide Maimonides' highest level of tzedakah: to strengthen a person until they needs no longer fall [upon the mercy of the community] or be in need. Though there is not currently legislation in Congress that would raise the federal minimum wage, there are rumblings that such a bill will be introduced during the next Congress. In the mean time, please consider contacting your Members of Congress on other economic justice issues such as affordable housing creation and child nutrition programs.
Beyond these reasons, raising the minimum wage allows us to fulfill our mandate as Jews to "not abuse a needy and destitute laborer," and provide Maimonides' highest level of tzedakah: to strengthen a person until they needs no longer fall [upon the mercy of the community] or be in need. Though there is not currently legislation in Congress that would raise the federal minimum wage, there are rumblings that such a bill will be introduced during the next Congress. In the mean time, please consider contacting your Members of Congress on other economic justice issues such as affordable housing creation and child nutrition programs.
© Religious Action Center
Email this page
